Vigor of Twelve is a play off of the fact that Jesus had twelve disciples. It is a name that helps stress an importance on discipleship. This blog is specifically geared for younger people and mature Christians who don't mind a fresh, bold, and blunt approach to faith. Comments welcome, let's begin the discussion!

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Sunday, March 18, 2012

Acts 9:5-6

From
his knees – or likely from the fetal position – Paul inquires to know who is it
that has the power to knock him to the ground.
Paul calls the mysterious power “Lord.”
The voice declares itself to be Jesus, the one that Paul is
persecuting. Then the voice gives a
loving command. The voice tells Paul to go
into the city where he will receive further instruction.

Thoughts for Today:

First Thought:

Again, it is neat to see the humility of
people when they are genuinely in the presence of God. From these verses, you get the idea that Paul
had no ability to resist God. He had no
ability to do anything under the powerful thumb of God except fall to the
ground. I’m saying this so that we are
afraid of God. But I am saying it so
that we are mindful of how small we really are.
We like to be macho and think that we are invincible. But we are not. When push comes to shove we are ultimately
pretty fragile people. It is nice to be
reminded of this fact from time to time.

How
do you see yourself as overly macho?
Where do you see yourself as frail?

Second Thought:

Jesus
continues to be direct. Jesus identifies
himself as the one that Paul is persecuting.
What I like about this is that Jesus does not say, “I am the God of the
people that you are persecuting.” No,
Jesus says that Paul is persecuting Him directly. When people pick on Christians because of
their faith, they are actually challenging God to His face.

Is
it neat to think that God takes it personally when we are persecuted for our
faith?

Third Thought:

I
can only imagine how relieved Paul must have been when he heard Jesus tell him
to continue on in the city. As he is
folded up on the road under the watchful eye of God, I bet he genuinely thought
he was a dead man. I bet he genuinely
thought that he was going to pay for his actions. Then God says to him that his life will
continue and he needs to start listening.
Now that’s grace, folks!

Have
you ever thought about this event from this perspective? How often have you done something for which
God has every right to judge you negatively and yet He has chosen to forgive
you and let you live?